Punjab Municipal Elections: Nominations begin today, entire process will be under camera surveillance

May 13, 2026

The nomination process for the municipal elections in Punjab begins today. Candidates will have to submit their nomination papers at the Returning Officer’s office. This time, special arrangements have been made to ensure transparency in the entire process.

Cameras have been installed inside and outside the Returning Officer’s room, and police will also be deployed for security.

Only four people will be allowed to accompany the candidate

The administration has clarified that a candidate will only be allowed to take a maximum of four people inside during the nomination process. The nomination process will not be online.

Complete information and affidavits of candidates will be uploaded on the district administration’s website so that people can view their profiles. A separate link will be released for this.

Elections will be held in 105 municipal bodies

Elections will be held in 8 municipal corporations, 76 municipal councils, and 21 nagar panchayats in the state. Voting will take place in the Municipal Corporations of Mohali, Bathinda, Abohar, Barnala, Kapurthala, Moga, Batala, and Pathankot.

Approximately 3,977 polling stations have been set up for the elections. A total of over 3.6 million voters will exercise their franchise.

Special Security and Videography Arrangements

Approximately 36,000 employees and over 35,000 police and home guard personnel will be deployed for the municipal elections. Five personnel will be deployed at each booth.

The entire election process will be videographed. The administration has assigned IAS and PCS officers the responsibility to ensure the elections are conducted peacefully and fairly.

Expenditure Limits Also Fixed

Candidates contesting the Municipal Corporation elections will be able to spend a maximum of ₹4 lakh. Separate expenditure limits have also been set for the Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections.

The administration stated that nomination papers will be scrutinized on May 18th, while the last date for withdrawal of nominations will be May 19th.